Carney wins Republican vote in 23rd House District

Devin Carney, center, Republican candidate for the 23rd House District talks with Bill Peace, left, First Selectman Carl Fortuna, second from left, and Grant Westerson, right, outside the Old Saybrook High School polling station in the final minutes of the primary election Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014.Dana Jensen/The DayBuy Photo

Carney will now face Democrat Mary Stone, a member of the Old Lyme Zoning Board of Appeals, in the general election this November. State Rep. Marilyn Giuliano, R-Old Saybrook, is retiring after 12 years representing the district that encompasses Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and part of Westbrook.

On Tuesday evening, Carney thanked his campaign at his headquarters in Old Saybrook and said he will now focus on getting ready for the general election.

“People are ready for some new, fresh ideas in Hartford,” said Carney. “They’re ready for my generation to take hold of the issues going on.”

Lanier also expressed gratitude for her campaign team. She said Carney ran a great campaign and has her endorsement this November.

“I am so grateful to my campaign team who worked tirelessly on my behalf,” said Lanier. “I offer my sincere congratulations to Devin Carney for a job well done.”

Both candidates’ campaigns focused on issues related to the economy. Lanier, 44, named balancing the state’s budget and examining the state’s taxation system, returning control to local governments, and making thoughtful decisions on new laws as important issues during her campaign.

Carney, 30, stressed cutting taxes and lowering spending, improving the state’s transportation infrastructure, making the state friendlier to businesses and working to keep seniors and young people in state.